Kewanee co-ed earning her way into Dance Marathon

Saturday

Jul 27, 2013 at 7:00 AM

Stepping stones will hopefully lead to dance steps for Erin Draminski of Kewanee.

Dave Clarke

Stepping stones will hopefully lead to dance steps for Erin Draminski of Kewanee. The 2012 Wethersfield High School graduate, now a sophomore at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, is studying to become a Child Life Specialist. Last year she joined the campus chapter of a nationwide organization called Dance Marathon. Each year the all-student group holds a 24-hour dance marathon to raise money for children and their families who are fighting pediatric cancer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. As a member, she is required to raise $400 to attend something called “The Big Event.” Participants dance 24 hours straight without sitting, caffeine or sleep. Students assemble to celebrate children who have survived cancer, and those who have passed away during the year.Draminski is hoping to reach her participation goal by selling homemade stepping stones made of concrete and stained glass.Her mother, Susan, is making the stones, which measure 14 inches in diameter and weigh about 20 pounds. They are available with either yellow ribbons representing support of the fight against childhood cancer, or pink, for the fight against breast cancer.Black or white circular borders are available in either ribbon or bar design.While mom is turning out the stepping stones, Erin is handling the marketing end. “They make really great steps for gardens, yards, or other outside decorative uses,” said Erin. Each stone costs $40 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Dance Marathon. “The University of Iowa Dance Marathon is a completely student run organization that provides year-round support to young cancer victims and their families,” said Draminski. “Students plan and participate in family events throughout the year,” she said. Draminski also visits children being treated in the hospital and their families regularly during the school year. She is one of 250 student leaders of the organization.Proceeds from Dance Marathon provide food vouchers, parking vouchers, hotel accommodations, blankets, toys, a “room of magic,” family events, camp, sibling support, playtime and more.The campaign involves college and high school students at more than 150 schools across the country, all raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in their community. In 1991, students at one university founded DM in the memory of a fellow student, Ryan White. The program spread across the nation and now benefits hundreds of hospitals and countless kids. To date, the campaign has raised more than $12 million for children with cancer and their families. This is the 20th year for DM at the University of Iowa.The group has pledged $5 million over a 10-year period to a new hospital being built where the 11th floor will be named the UI Dance Marathon Cancer Treatment Center.Dance Marathon’s mission statement is “We dance for those who can’t.” More than 2,000 students will take part in the next “Big Event” Feb. 7, 2014, in the ballroom of the Student Center at the University of Iowa.The stones take only a few days to make and can be ordered by contacting Erin at 856-6108, by e-mail at erin-draminski@uiowa.edu, or on a special Facebook page she has set up at www.facebook.com/SteppingStonesForTheKids.